http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4517&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4517 My first look at Tel Aviv. I arrived in the middle of the night, but was pleased the next morning to discover my hotel was just two blocks from the beach chairs. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4524&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4524 The boardwalk was lined with coffee shops, pizzarias, and fancy ice cream shops. Two scoops will set you back six bucks! http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4527&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4527 I toured all day, but always back before sunset for a dip in the Med to cool down. The water temperature was refreshingly perfect! http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4596&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4596 Nachlat Binyamin Street in Tel Aviv, a pedestrian street near the Yemenite Quarter. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4602&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4602 A lot goes on at the beach in Tel Aviv. Wind surfers and sailboats on the horizon, an outdoor gym in the lower right, and hot water showers with enviable water pressure in the lower left. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4599&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4599 Young Israelis seem very fitness-conscious, riding bikes, rollerblading, and jogging along this boardwalk which runs almost the full length of the city. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4605&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4605 And of course, sailing on the beautiful Mediterranean Sea! http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4563&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4563 I took the bus to Jaffa, a nearby ancient Arab port city believed to be one of the oldest cities in the world, frequently mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4530&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4530 This historic old city had a lot of ambiance, offering a stark contrast to its modern neighbor to the north, Tel Aviv. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4533&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4533 The high point along the walls of the old city offered spectacular views of the Tel Aviv beachfront, just about 3km away. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4536&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4536 The sign says, "Jaffa Coastal Cannon, Ottoman period, 1515 - 1917." http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4539&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4539 The confirmation that I am in an Arab town comes as the melodic muezzin calls its minions to prayer from the nearby minaret. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4545&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4545 Lonely Planet guidebook sends me on a quest to find "Ali Caravan," described as having the best Hummus in the entire region. I can't speak for the entire region, but it was by far the best I have ever eaten! http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4542&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4542 This is the "triple," -- Hummus, tahina (sesame seed paste) and Fuul (chickpea stew) served with spicy pepper sauce. Eyes-roll-back-in-the-head good!! http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4551&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4551 One of the oldest known harbors in the world, Jaffa was once Palestine's main port. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4548&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4548 The docks were lined with the most rustic of fishing boats, as well as beautiful yachts. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4554&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4554 The port area is making a comeback due to municipal beautification projects which include many outdoor seafood restaurants and art galleries. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4560&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4560 Jaffa is also known for it's Flea Market, selling antiques and well, just junk in general. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4557&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4557 Backgammon is a popular pastime.among the flea market proprietors. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4575&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4575 The bustling Carmel Market near the Yemenite Quarter is a good place to get an idea of daily Tel Aviv life. Note extreme differences in women's dress, typical of Tel Aviv more so than any other Israeli city I visited. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4566&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4566 Unlike most markets, there doesn't seem to be any order in which merchandise is displayed, with hot buns for sale next to the underrwear. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4569&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4569 Fresh juices are a hot item all over Israel, not just this market, with the two most popular being citrus and pomegranate. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4572&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4572 No Middle East market is complete without an assortment of smoking paraphernalia in a wide array of sizes and colors. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4578&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4578 Beautiful fresh figs are in season. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4584&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 4584 Nothing like the aroma from a melee of fresh spices in the market!